School-based trainees look towards the future

While this NAIDOC week’s theme may be “for our elders” those that are emerging are vitally important to the future of Indigenous Australians.

Through our work in employment services, we work hard at MAX to ensure we create opportunities for Indigenous Australians and to help close the gap in employment.  

One of the ways we do this is by hosting our Indigenous School-Based Trainee Program.  

The program provides young people with valuable work experience across the different departments of our National Operations Centre in Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane whilst completing a Certificate III in Business through our Registered Training Organisation (RTO).  

We currently have two trainees Luke, a proud Kamilaroi man (Northern NSW to Southern Queensland) and Jordi a proud Kabi Kabi (Nambour) woman.

Both Luke and Jordi have had the opportunity to work across 4 departments so far to gain a range of skills and build greater confidence

The program isn’t just about skill building, it also gives trainees a chance to get a better idea of what they want their future to look like.

While Luke is looking to leverage the skills he has learned to start an online business, Jordi hopes she can apply the skills she has learnt here at MAX in the training team.

Echoing this year’s theme of NAIDOC Luke came to us through a family connection with his older sister participating in the program in 2020. 

While Jordi credits her Mum for giving the love and support to help her become an independent young person who takes charge of her future.

With some of the former trainees in the program still working with us today as employees, the program is part of our commitment to the employment of Indigenous young people and a key deliverable in our Reconciliation Action Plan.